New, exclusive videos show ITV star Martin Clunes entertaining his hosts on a remote island - coming just days after he was tipped for a bombshell role in Death in Paradise.
The Men Behaving Badly actor was caught in clips off Papua New Guinea for an upcoming TV series.
On the picturesque island of Kiriwina, part of the Trobriand Islands, the Doc Martin star appeared to wow the locals, and enter into the spirit of events.
He danced during an unorthodox cricket match, was besieged by local school children and drew crowds as he was presented with gifts by a village elder to celebrate the yam festival.
Kiriwina, which has a population of 12,000, is one of a series of atolls that make up the Trobriand Islands, off the eastern tip of Papua New Guinea, north of Australia.
It’s known as the “island of love”, although tribal warfare two years ago saw 30 people killed in a massacre.
The videos were filmed by a local travel company.
Madapai Tours, who hosted Clunes, said: “The villagers went wild as soon as Martin Clunes entered the cricket match to have a go.
“It was a great experience to be a fixer for the famous British actor.”
For this second series of Islands of the Pacific, Clunes also visited Rabaul, in East New Britain, along with the Philippines, and Guam.
Said Clunes: “For centuries we’ve been sold the idea that paradise on earth is here in the Pacific Islands.
“But in our uncertain, changing world, how much of that paradise is left, and how long can it survive?
“Three years ago, a worldwide pandemic brought my journey across the Pacific to an abrupt halt.
“But thankfully, I was able to return to do more exploring.”
Clunes’ original voyage was inspired by reading a book given to him when he was a child by his father about the Kon-Tiki expedition across the Pacific.
It comes after Clunes was revealed as favourite to replace Ralf Little as the detective in Death in Paradise. The Doc Martin star is just ahead of Unforgotten actor Sanjeev Bhaskar and Toby Jones to head to the island of Guadeloupe for the hit BBC series.
Martin Clunes: Islands of the Pacific, ITV, starts Monday, 15 Apr, 9pm
